Details of firearms arrest released in court

An East Hampton man recently accused of firearms and drug charges by a statewide police task force was arraigned Thursday in Middlesex Superior Court.

AMY L. ZITKA

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, October 7, 2000

Thomas Vecchitto appeared with his lawyer in the Middletown court. He had been arrested by members of the Statewide Firearms Trafficking Task Force Sept. 21 after a search and seizure warrant was executed at his Champion Hill Road home. During the search, several firearms -- including a few assault rifles -- and marijuana was found in his home.

Details of Vecchitto's arrest were recently made available through court documents.

While a search and seizure warrant for liquor violations was served Aug. 23 at a Wallingford clubhouse of The Dismantlers motorcycle gang, Vecchitto was among the members and patrons, according to the warrant. At that time when he was interviewed by law enforcement officials, he had a .380 caliber pistol and his permit with him.

After interviewing Vecchitto an investigation, it was determined Vecchitto failed to change his pistol permit address within the required two business days, according to court documents. The pistol permit still reflected a Meriden address rather than his 163 Champion Hill Road home.

On Aug. 28, members of the statewide task force, which investigates firearms and weapons crimes, executed a search and seizure warrant along with members of the State Police Gangs Task Force and the State's Attorney's Office at Vecchitto's East Hampton home, according to the warrant.

Among the 14 weapons seized, were an AR-15 assault rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle and a 9mm Uzi converted to a .45-caliber, the warrant said. The other firearms included a .22-caliber rifle, three Derringers and other revolvers and handguns. A total 37.3 grams of marijuana also was seized from Vecchitto's home, according to the warrant.

After the search, a warrant was issued for Vecchitto's arrest. The 58-year-old was charged Sept. 21 with failure to notify of an address change (for a pistol permit), possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $25,000 bail.

Vecchitto's defense attorney was unavailable for comment. Vecchitto is expected to enter a plea when he appears Nov. 7.